5 Hazards that come with buying a hoarders home

Hoarding is a serious problem that affects many Canadians. Extreme amounts of clutter in a home can not only impact quality of life, but also cause serious safety and health hazards for the people who live there, as well as potential risks to their neighbors. If you have purchased a hoarders home and are left with clearing out the clutter, there several hazards you might not be aware of. Here are some of the more common dangers you may be stuck with before moving in.

Rodent Infestations

Hoarding can attract mice and rats. These nasty nibbling nuisances can cause a host of serious health problems, spreading viruses and bacteria that can be extremely harmful to you and the ones you care about. To make matters worse, rodents can also cause structural damage to your property. If there are signs of rodent infestations, don’t go it alone. Contact a professional pest control provider to handle your pest problems.

Structural Damage

The amassed wealth of items hoarders collect can not only hide structural damage, but also create it. Over time, all that accumulated stuff can put a heavy strain on the flooring of a home, potentially damaging its support. What’s more, clutter can conceal water damage and mold growth—a serious problem that can ruin property and possessions, as well jeopardize your health.

Falling Items

Because of the sheer volume of stuff, hoarders have to stack their items. This can pose a danger when you are cleaning up the home, as items can easily fall, potentially hurting you in the process. When it comes to clearing out a home, take a top down approach. Start from the top and work your way down, carefully removing things as you go along.

Emergency Access

Another possible danger that comes with purchasing a hoarders home is little or no access to exit points. This can be a real problem in the event of an emergency. Make sure to clear a path around exit areas of the home. This will provide the necessary access you’ll need to get in and out of the house. Plus, it will make things easier when you’re hauling items out of the residence.

Jagged Debris

There is a wide variety of sharp debris that can injury you during a hoarding cleanup project, including broken glass, chipped kitchenware, knives, nails, and other sharp objects. To avoid the risk of injury (and even contracting a disease) it is extremely important to wear protective clothing and footwear when taking on any hoarding job.

Hoarding cleanup is a time consuming and sometimes dangerous process. If you have bought a hoarders home and don’t know where to begin, you’ll want to contact a professional junk removal company to take the burden off your shoulders. They have the experience, skill, and equipment to handle even the toughest hoarding situation.